The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-03-30
ROME AND THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Cardinal Gibbons Defense of That Organ
iZatton,

Cardinal Gibbons Defense of That Organ
ization.
ROME, March 2S.-The text of Cardinal
Gibbons report on the Knights of Labor,
as published in the MOniteur de Rome,
shows that several additions have been
made to the report as originally published.
Referring to the objections urged against
the organization, the Cardinal says: at is
objected that in this kind of organizan
Catholics mix with Protestants to the peril
of their faith. Amongst q mixed people
like ours separation OF religions in civil
affairs is not possible. To suppose that
the faith Of the Catholic suffers, shows ig-
norance of the Catholic workmen of
America, who regard the church as their
mother. They are intelligent, instructed,
devoted, and ready to give their blood, as
they give their hard-earned gains, for her
support ann protection"
To the question whether 1t would not be
better to have the organizations conducted
by priests under the direct influence OF re-
ligion, the Cardinal frankly replies that he
thinks it neither possible nor necessary.
SIN our countres," ne says, I'VE have
abundant means of making Catholics good
without going so far"
1t being objected that the liberty of the
organization exposes Catholics to deadly
influences, and associates more dangerous
than even Atheists, Communists and An
archists the Cardinal said it was true, but
one proof of faith would not Try American
Catholics To such influences they were ex-
posed every day and they knew them well
and despised them. The leaders of the
Knights of Labor related how these vio-
lent, aggressive elements strove TO gain
authority N their councils or insinuste
poison into their principles OF the associa-
ton, and also told of the determination
with which they were repelled. Danger
would arise from a coldness between the
church and her children, which nothing
would more surely occasion than impru-
dent condennatfons.
Special STREET being laid upon the vio-
lence, even 10 the shedding of blood which
has characterized several strikes insugu-
rated by workingmen's associations, the
Cardinal says: Il have three things to re-
mark. ~ Strikes are not the
invention of the Knights, but a universal,
perpetual means by which workingmen
protest against what is unjust, and de-
mand their rights. ~ In such a struggle
of the multitudes of the poor against hard,
obstinate monopoly, wrath and violence
are often as inevitable as they are regretta-
bic. (3) The laws and the principal author
ities of the Knights, so far from encourag-
ing violence or occasions for violence,
exercise powerful preventive influence,
seeking to keep strikes within the limits
OF legitimate action. An attentive ex-
animation into the violent struggles be-
tween labor and capital has convinced me
of the injustice of attributing violence to
the Knights. Their principal authorities
have proved the fact that it is as unreason-
able to attribute violence to the knights
as to attribute to the church the follies and
crimes of her children against which she
protests"
This thought is admirably developed by
the Cardinal. He says the part of chris
tian prudence is to attempt to bind
the hearts Of the multitude with ties
of love for the purpose of controlling
them by the principles OF faith, justice
and charity; shd to recognize the truth